Tithing in the New Testament By Claire L

Tithing in the New Testament By Claire L. Eva A summary of the book by Angel Rodriguez Biblical Research Institute Silver Spring, Maryland

Pre-Israelite Origin n Pre-Hebrew – Abraham and Jacob tithed § Genesis 14: 20 and Genesis 28: 22

Pre-Israelite Origin n Pre-Moses – Genesis reveals tithing before Moses and the formation of a theocracy

Supported by Jesus § Matthew 23: 23/Luke 11: 42 –Jesus endorses tithing: “ …You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. ” Mt 23: 23

Implied in Paul n Old Testament law of tithing—model for Christian giving § 1 Cor 9: 13: “Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple … the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. ”

Positive Perspective in Hebrews 7: 1 -10 – Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek § Melchizedek—”priest of God Most High” § Order of Melchizedek, superior to the Aaronic order § Presupposes tithing is divinely ordained

Summary n Tithing— n 1. Should not be circumscribed to the ceremonial system of the OT n 2. Grows out of the Hebrew tradition n 3. The little the NT says about it, suggests conformity with the OT principle

Summary n Tithing— n 4. The NT condemns tithing as a manifestation of self-righteousness n 5. The purpose of tithing remains the — same § The Lord uses it to provide for those who dedicate their lives to the proclamation of the gospel

Elements of Discontinuity n 1. Connected to the Sanctuary/Temple n 2. Connected to Levites and Priests n 3. Levites Gave a Tithe to Priests

Searching for Principles n 1. Different Procedures in Old Testament § Levitical system not indispensable for tithing § Tithing practiced before there was a Levite § Allows for a new way of tithing in Christian Church

Searching for Principles n 2. Relevance of Theology of Tithing § Theology not limited to particular cultural setting or specific historical period § Concrete expression of recognition and acceptance of God as Creator and Owner § Transcends Levitical system

Searching for Principles n 3. Tithe Recipients Appointed by God § Tithe belonged to Lord, and not to Levites § God selects those who will be sustained by tithe § Those selected dedicate their lives to the exclusive service of His people

Searching for Principles n 4. Ministers and Tithing § OT distinction between priest, Levite, and the people of Israel, unknown in NT § No distinction among members in Christian Church § Lay member and minister both to tithe

Storehouse: The Principle n The Storehouse in the Old Testament § “Storehouse” from Hebrew—”house, temple, palace” § Storehouse located in temple complex § Tithe distribution centralized § Israelites separated tithe at home and brought it to the Lord—Numbers 18: 24

Tithing System— n According to 2 Chronicles 31: 5 -12: § 1. Collection of tithes and offerings was centralized § 2. Distribution of tithes and offerings was centralized § 3. Portions assigned to Levites

Collection of Tithe Israelites Bring the Tithe Levites Collect the Tithe Temple: Storehouse Distribution of Tithe Temple: Storehouse Distributed by Levites Priests

Tithing System— n According to Nehemiah: § 1. People brought tithes and offerings to storerooms of House of God—the Temple § 2. Firstfruits given directly to priests § 3. Tithe given to Levites

Tithing System— § 4. Tithe collected outside by Levites—a priest was to accompany the Levite § 5. Levites brought tithe to “House of our God” (v 39 a) § 6. Men selected to oversee storerooms

Principles Transferred to the Church n 1. The collection and distribution of tithe was centralized—there was a “storehouse” n 2. Specific individuals were chosen to collect and distribute the tithe

Principles Transferred to the Church n 3. The tithe was given to individuals selected by God n 4. The centralized system allowed for outpost centers for collection and distribution of tithe

Is there any evidence in the New Testament, or in the early church, that Christians practiced tithing? ?

Tithing in the Early Church n The Silence of the New Testament § There is no explicit evidence of tithing in the apostolic church § We must be careful on how to interpret that lack of evidence § Any conclusion reached would be based on the silence of the New Testament

The Silence of the New Testament— 2 § “When taken in conjunction with the attitude of Jesus toward tithing, and Paul’s comments, it could be interpreted in terms of support for tithing rather than rejection of it …” § “One thing is clear, namely, Jesus did not reject tithing, but encouraged it. ” p. 21

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church § The post-apostolic fathers wrote very little about tithing during first three centuries of Christian era § Tendency to believe tithing was superseded by teachings of Jesus § Some argued—Christians do not give tithe because it is an amount too small to give to the Lord

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church n Irenaeus (fl. c. 175 -195) wrote: § “They [the Jews] had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely…”

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church n Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage (c. 210 -258), complained: § …But now we do not even give a tenth of our patrimony, and, although the Lord orders us to sell, we rather buy and increase. ” § The Levitical practice of receiving a tenth of the fruits of the soil from the people “is now maintained in respect of the clergy…. ”

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church n Tithing was promoted much more in the early 4 th century n Some devoted Christians were tithing to the church

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church § “How shameful it is that was taken for granted among the Jews has now become an amazing thing among Christians. And if nonpayment of tithe puts a man in jeopardy with God, then consider how many are in such danger today. ” § John Chrysostom–Bishop of Antioch (c. 344 -407)

Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church n Tithing appears to be a regular practice in the Eastern church in the late 4 th century § Augustine (c. 354 -430) represented a Christian tradition in which tithing was acceptable for Christians as a minimal stand for giving

Conclusion n The biblical evidence indicates— § The practice of tithing was not limited to a particular historical period or to a specific group § The theology of tithing and its impact on the lives of believers and their relationship and dependence on God transcends time and culture § The NT does not reject tithing and, perhaps more specifically, Jesus himself puts His stamp of approval on it